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Changing the Problem With Your Posture

Many of us in the United States have become accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. Partly because of this, we tend to forget about maintaining correct posture during our daily activities, such as while sitting at work, standing in line, lifting or carrying something heavy, holding small children, or even sleeping in bed. However, not paying attention to our posture can lead to bad habits that can cause problems over time.

Poor posture can lead to back pain, increased stress on ligaments holding spinal joints together, and muscle strain and/or injury. In order to maintain proper posture, you need to have good muscle flexibility and strength, normal joint motion in your spine, and have efficient postural muscles that are balanced on both sides of your spine.

What Are the Factors That Contribute to Poor Posture?

There are several factors that can directly or indirectly contribute to poor posture. The most common include:

Stress

Obesity

Pregnancy

Weak postural muscles

Abnormally tight muscles

High-heeled shoes

How Do I Correct My Posture When I Sit?

Many of us sit for a majority of our day. So it’s important to practice proper posture when sitting down. Here are a few helpful guidelines:

Keep both feet on the floor, or if they don’t reach the floor, place them on a footrest.

Don’t cross your legs. Keep your ankles in front of your knees.

Maintain a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.

Keep your knees at or below the level of your hips.

Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back, or use a back support.

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